The Best Classic Reads (for People Who Hate Classics)

Hi loves!

Pop on your reading glasses, because it’s time to talk classics. If you were that person in high school who loved English but wasn’t a big fan of classic literature, congratulations. This post is for you! I can appreciate classic books, and have read many throughout high school. However, I prefer modern novels one hundred percent over Brit Lit. That being said, I have read a few books throughout my AP English experience that I actually loved. I am a pretty tough critic when it comes to books, so when I actually enjoy one, it means a lot! Here are some of my favorites that I recommend if you’re on the market for something on the intellectual side:

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: A must-read. To Kill a Mockingbird puts racial injustice into context and still has relevance in modern society. I love the characters and the way this book is written. However, the sequel, Go Set a Watchman, is said to change everything put forth in To Kill a Mockingbird. It’s on my reading list!

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger: I hated this book the first time I read it, but the second time around, I loved it. I gave it a try in the sixth grade, but looking back, I just wasn’t old enough yet to appreciate it. That being said, I think this is a book you need to read as a teenager to have the full experience. Most adults say Holden is a whiny kid, but teenagers relate to him. Holden is one of my favorite characters in literature. The wandering plot reflects his wandering thoughts. This book is a great break from “classical” classics and is much more in touch with present-day issues.

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov: This book is not for kids, but wow, what a perplexing story. If you like books that really get into the main character’s head, this one is for you. It is impossible to resist psychoanalyzing Humbert Humbert. This book will keep you guessing until the very end.

Rappaccini’s Daughter by Nathaniel Hawthorne: Not a novel but rather a short story, Rappaccini’s Daughter is a garden of symbolism and intrigue. If you want a glimpse into the Scarlet Letter novelist’s style without committing to the real thing, give this novella a try.

The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald: Let me preface this by saying I didn’t fall in love with the Great Gatsby. The characters weren’t spectacular, in my opinion, and the ending wasn’t satisfying. I am currently reading The Beautiful and Damned, Fitzgerald’s real masterpiece. Glamorous, sophisticated, and romantic, this book has so much prevalence in modern life. I love it.

Those are all my favorites! While classic books are hard to read, many of them prove to be worth it. What are your favorite books from high school English? Let me know in the comments!